Wednesday, July 9, 2014

RUGBY: Tried and tested for Games

National coach Yusli Ramli and manager Fahmy Jalil will stick to a
tried and tested lineup for the team’s campaign at the Glasgow
Commonwealth Games this month.

There were no real surprises in the final 12-man squad released by
the Malaysian Rugby Union yesterday with Cobra stalwarts Syahir Asraf
Rosli, Amin Jamaluddin and Hafiizh Zainal set to form the backbone of
the team and Kiwi-based Marc Le and Saizul Hafiz Md Noor (SSTMI) adding
experience.

Talented youngsters Anwarul Hafiz Ahmad (Lions), Danial Noor Hamidi
(NS Wanderers) and Zharif Affandi Mohd Zahib’s (Serdang Angels)
consistent performances this season have also seen them rewarded with a
place in the side.

Yusli said the players were selected on merit with the main criteria being fitness, form and commitment.

“All the boys selected were part of the team that won at the
Singapore (Domestic Club Sevens) recently and are in good shape,” said
Yusli.

“We have a good mix of experience and youth for this tournament. I
am happy with our form now but we need to keep improving ourselves
mentally.

“I admit there are other talented players out there but as far as
we (team management) are concerned, these boys have the right
combination of fitness, form and commitment.

“A lot of Malaysian players are not able to give their commitment to playing in the national side.
“There is not much we can do about that as they have other priorities such as their studies and work.”
A few notable names that missed the cut include Angels duo Nazreen
Fitri Nasruddin and Anwarrul Aswad Ahmad, Faiz Samsukhidir (Cobra) as
well as Fairuz Ab Rahman (Kedah) who captained the squad last season.

The team will leave for Scotland on July 22 and are set to play
friendlies against Kenya and Cook Island before the tournament starts at
the Ibrox Stadium on July 26.